972x
002782
2019-04-03

Question

My model should be symmetric, but the support reactions reflect unsymmetric loading or modeling. What can I do?


Answer:

Please check the orientations of all supports, members, and surfaces, and thus, the orientations of the loads. It is useful to display the respective coordinate systems using the Display navigator (Image 01).

If this does not solve the problem, use the simplest possible load case where the deformation is easy to follow. Consult the internal forces and deformations to detect possible rotations or missing connections (Image 02). In order to recognize rotated loads on surfaces, you can also use the "Load Distribution" option in the results (Image 03).

A supposed connection between a surface and a member is often missing. In this case, the FE mesh can also show whether the connection exists.

If the asymmetry remains, use a copy of the model and delete the elements successively to find the cause of the missing symmetry.

If all of this is unsuccessful, please send the model to our hotline with a note of which tests you have already performed.